CMA Announces National Chamber Music Month

NEW YORK, NY (March 1, 2012)—Chamber Music America (CMA) has designated May 2012 as National Chamber Music Month—a celebration of the many styles of small ensemble music performed and presented today.

“Chamber music is a vibrant and diverse field,” said Margaret M. Lioi, CEO of Chamber Music America. “It includes contemporary music, jazz, world music, European classical music and styles that draw from all of these. National Chamber Music Month will showcase the richness of chamber music through performances in urban and rural areas across the country.”

From Alaska to Texas to New York, 22 CMA-member ensembles and presenters have formed a Chamber Music Month Launch Committee* and have extended the invitation to participate to ensembles and concert presenters in every state. CMA’s national office will track the local events and assist with national and local publicity.

Performances during the month will range from the Paul Dresher Double Duo at Flynn Space in Burlington, VT, and the Escher String Quartet at Atonement Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN, to the Brad Mehldau Trio at Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, NM, and Symphony Space’s Wall to Wall: Gertrude’s Paris in New York City.

Chamber Music America defines chamber music as works for small ensembles of 2–10 members, playing one to a part and generally performing without a conductor. The organization has 6,000 members—ensembles, presenting organizations, festivals, individual musicians, music educators, composers, artist managers, and other music professionals.

Chamber Music America, the national service organization for the ensemble music profession, was founded in 1977 to develop and strengthen an evolving chamber music community. CMA welcomes members representing a wide range of musical styles and traditions. CMA provides its members with grant programs, consulting services, access to health and instrument insurance, conferences, seminars, and several publications, including Chamber Music magazine. Visit www.chamber-music.org.